Unless otherwise noted, I have previewed all YouTube clips to ensure that I would feel comfortable showing them to my own children before I recommend them to you and yours! But feel free to do the same yourself if you have any concerns. Enjoy!
Special Event: Mitali Perkins, Author of Rickshaw Girl
Note: This event was designed to be watched AFTER reading Rickshaw Girl as a family!
Click the image below to enjoy the replay:
Links to Learn More:
- Order your copy of Rickshaw Girl here.
- Reader’s Guide: Download the Parent’s Guide I created to help you get more out of Rickshaw Girl with your family.
- Be sure to look for the video clips below from Bangladesh, the setting of Rickshaw Girl, to help you get more out of the story!
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Introduction to Asia—>
Learn which countries make up Asia (3 min; all ages)
Asian Food Challenge (12 min; ages 5+)
Asia: Destination World (3 min; ages 6+)
Links to Learn More:
- What’s it like growing up in Asia? Read this post from the Philippines to find out what it’s like in one Asian country!
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Destination: Bangladesh—>
Rickshaw Girl, takes place in Bangladesh! These clips will help you understand and appreciate certain aspects of the story:
Take a quick rickshaw ride through the streets of Bangladesh (1 min; all ages)
Learn the art of alpana decoration that appears in Rickshaw Girl (4 min; likely to interest ages 7+)
Listen to a Bengali International Mother Language Day Song (3 min; ages 9+):
International Mother Language Day is a worldwide annual observance held on 21 February to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and to promote multilingualism. The idea to celebrate International Mother Language Day was the initiative of Bangladesh. In Bangladesh 21 February is the anniversary of the day when Bangladeshis fought for recognition for the Bangla language.
Links to Learn More:
- Reader’s Guide: Download the Parent’s Guide I created to help you get more out of Rickshaw Girl with your family.
- Madlib Grammar Game: Trishna created this Madlib game to go along with Rickshaw Girl–play it now or save until after your family had finished reading!
- Maps: Be sure to mark Bangladesh on your map printables to document your visit!
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Destination: China—>
Picture Book: Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same by Grace Lin (3 min; ages 4 and up)
Enjoy this fun drawing lesson with author Grace Lin (9 min; ages 7 and up)
Mr Zoller’s Geography of China (11 min; ages 12 and up)
Links to Learn More:
- Free Audiobook: Japanese Fairy Tales (some violence, recommended for 9+)
- Craft: The Beginner’s Guide to Origami
- Live Cam: Enjoy watching giant pandas in China!
- Maps: Be sure to mark China on your map printables to document your visits!
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Destination: India—>
Picture Book: Same, Same But Different by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw (4 min; ages 4 and up)
Picture Book & Activity: Bilal Cooks Daal by Aisha Saeed (6 min; ages 4 and up)
My daughter Trishna and I share about India (3 min; recorded 4 years ago, ages 8 and up – younger is fine, though we mention child slavery as it relates to a book)
An inspiring story of an Indian school for the visually impaired (5 min; ages 10+)
Links to Learn More:
- Medieval History: Delve into India’s past
- Virtual Field Trip: Walk around the Taj Mahal yourself
- Virtual Field Trip: Learn how technology is keeping Indian elephants safe
- Flag: Color the Indian flag and learn what each color means!
- Free Audiobook: Indian Fairy Tales (I’m not familiar with these, so preview first.)
- Audiobooks: If you have access to digital library app, Hoopla, look for these missionary biographies about Dr. Paul Brand, Sundar Singh, Dr. Ida Scudder, Amy Carmichael, and William Carey.
- Maps: Be sure to mark India on your map printables to document your visit!
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Destination: Japan—>
On July 23rd Japan celebrates Marine/Ocean Day:
The day was established as a holiday to express gratitude for the gifts of the sea, honor its importance, and pray for the prosperity of Japan as a maritime nation.
In celebration of Marine Day, all national aquariums organize special events, water sports competitions, water shows, and cultural activities relating to the sea.
Marine Day is the unofficial start of the summer season for students and many people take advantage of this summer holiday to enjoy a day out at the beach.
Enjoy this past celebration of Ocean Day (3 min; all ages)
How does this compare to your room at home? (3 min; ages 4 and up)
Learn about “Lunch Period” in Japanese schools (9 min; ages 8 and up, read text aloud to younger ages!)
Links to Learn More:
- Free Audiobook: Japanese Fairy Tales (some violence, recommended for 9+)
- Craft: The Beginner’s Guide to Origami
- Maps: Be sure to mark Japan on your map printables to document your visits!
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Destination: Russia—>
Kids Try Russian Snacks (4 min; ages 4 and up)
Travel through Russia in the Winter (7 min; ages 4 and up)
Picture Book: Babushka’s Doll by Patricia Polacco (5 min; ages 6 and up)
Enjoy this popular Russian Fairy Tale (13 min; ages 7 and up, but may not be for sensitive kiddos–similar to the Gingerbread Man, preview ending first if you have concerns)
Learn how to say a few common greetings in Russian (4 min; ages 9 and up)
The Animated History of Russia (8 min; for teens; TV-PG for language)
Links to Learn More:
- Games: 6 Traditional Russian Games You Can Play
- Virtual Stop: Take a quick peek and walk around Red Square in Moscow
- Maps: Be sure to mark Russia on your map printables to document your visit there!